Egypt's president Mubarak sworn in for fifth term
President Hosni Mubarak, a close US ally and long-time leader of Egypt, was sworn in today for a fifth six-year term after a landslide victory in the country’s first contested presidential election.
Mubarak was sworn in by parliamentary Speaker Fathi Serour during an emergency session of the legislature held under tight security in Cairo. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi attended the ceremony.
The Egyptian leader was later to address the house, dominated by his ruling National Democratic Party, to outline the priorities of his government.
Mubarak, 77 and only days short of completing 25 years in office, won 88 per cent of the vote in the September 7 election.
However, only 23 per cent of the 32 million registered voters took part in the election, leaving Mubarak with the support of 6.5 million voters in a country of 72 million.
